Flu is peaking unusually early in the Pacific Northwest. UW Epidemiology Professor Helen Chu spoke with KNKX about the rise in H1N1 cases, what may be driving the early surge and what people should know about flu vaccination. buff.ly/8Ms7Rl1

Calling #PublicHealth practitioners and academic partners! Learn how the University of Washington's SEAL Team expands workforce capacity, supports public health priorities, and creates meaningful student learning experiences through academic-practice partnerships. Register today! buff.ly/FCCz8Qv

A new gift from the Erick Shirley Foundation for Mental Health will help expand Pathways 2 Safety, a program led by Kelsey Conrick of UW Epidemiology’s Center for Firearm Injury Prevention. The program trains behavioral health providers to support patients at risk of firearm suicide. buff.ly/4LNWwZu

Congratulations to UW Epi faculty Alison Fohner, Sarah Lindström and Nicholas L. Smith on their recent NIH R01 successes. Fohner and Lindström had funding renewed, while Smith received two R01 grants, including one with emeritus faculty member Bruce Psaty. buff.ly/gCRHPE1

The federal government is cracking down on potent kratom-related compounds, but what happens next? UW Epi's Caleb Banta-Green tells CNN that banning these products could have unintended consequences. buff.ly/8rdQVzE